Terminal-Based YouTube Player

Introduction

• Motivation: Simplify YouTube experience by running entirely from terminal
• Initial Problem: Handling videos with Python using a single-thread model

Development Breakdown

Initial Setup

• Central Point: Playing videos using command line arguments
  • Arguments: URL, scaling factor, max width
• Libraries Used: yt_dlp for video stream
• Core Process:
  1. Retrieves video stream URL
  2. Reads each frame sequentially
  3. Converts frames into ASCII
  4. Prints frames to console, refreshing each time

Frame Conversion

• Frame-to-ASCII Converter: Key Component
  • Converts frames to grayscale
  • Resizes based on scaling factor and max width
  • Converts pixel groups into ASCII characters
• Intensity Calculation: Key Method
  • Normalized pixel group values for character selection

Handling Terminal Window Resizing

• Initial Problem: Poor handling of window resizing
• Solution: Poll CLI dimensions on each frame render to update internal states

Performance Optimization

• Issue: FPS depended on frame size
• Solution:
  • Retrieve target framerate
  • Calculate minimum frame rendering interval

User Input

Thread Handling

• Current Model: Single-threaded, requiring key input for rendering each frame
• Solution: Move rendering to a separate thread to handle state and input

CLI Interaction

• Utilized Function: getch() (captures input efficiently)
• Special Consideration: Handling ctrl-c and ctrl-z
• Key Features Added:
  • Pause/unpause video with a button
  • Display status: video playing, playback progress, creator's name, view count

Expanding Functionality

Refactoring for Future Expansion

• Refactoring: Used callbacks to keep functions loosely coupled

Display Manager

• Changes Implemented:
  • Managed a series of screens with custom rendering methods
  • Added responsive menu navigation bar
  • Auto-paused video when switching screens

YouTube API Integration

• OAuth Authentication:
  • Steps: Google Cloud Console setup, downloaded credentials
  • Created AuthManager for login and credential storage
• Service Handlers:
  • YoutubeConnectionManager managing internal states
  • YoutubeStateBase class for common logic in different states
• Screens Implemented:
  • Home Page: Most popular videos due to lack of home API endpoint
  • Creator Page: Videos from the same creator
  • Search Page: Search for videos with a search bar

Rendering Screens

• General Approach:
  • Convert thumbnails to ASCII, add titles and creator's name
• Navigation:
  • Handlers for navigating through videos
  • Custom search bar with search functionality

Additional Fixes

• Responsiveness Issue: Fixed terminal resize handling using separate thread
• OAuth Usage: Integrated like and subscribe functionality
• Accurate Aspect Ratio: Adjusted based on character dimensions
• ASCII Character Set: Extended for better conversion accuracy